About Us

About Tutoring & Mentoring

One hour a week is all it takes to help a child impacted by homelessness. School on Wheels of Massachusetts (SOWMA) recruits, trains and supports volunteers, who provide one-on-one tutoring for children in kindergarten through grade 12 living in shelters and transitional apartments. To provide stability and consistency, tutors meet with students each week to reinforce grade level learning skills, work on school projects, and help boost the child's self-esteem.

Tutors serve as positive adult role models and mentors to help students reach their full potential in the classroom and beyond. Our volunteers come from all backgrounds and professions with one goal in mind: to help students break the cycle of homelessness through a quality education. Click here to find out how you can help change a child’s life.

Customized Tutoring

Tutors are matched with a student at one of our shelters or training sites to provide one-on-one tutoring and mentoring. Volunteer tutors help children get back on track with their education despite the obstacles of homelessness. Site Coordinators are trained educators who oversee and support our tutors and students at each program site. The Site Coordinators will help guide you and your student to help ensure you have the information and resources you need to have an effective tutoring session. Tutors receive high quality training and ongoing support from the SOWMA Education Director and Operations Director.

Resources

Each tutoring site has a variety of activities and resources available for the tutors and students to use during their tutoring sessions. During the volunteer training, tutors are introduced to many of the educational resources available and shown how to use them with their students. SOWMA’s main focus is on English Language Arts, Mathematics, and developing skills such as organization and critical thinking.

Tutors are supported by the School on Wheels staff Site Coordinators and are encouraged to take educational workshops offered throughout the year to receive additional training.